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Would-be burglar found dead in Marrero store's oven vent died of asphyxia

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The body of Ken Singleton, 44, of Marrero, was found dangling from the exhaust system over a stove at Greg's Food Store, 936 block Westwood Drive, Marrero , on Saturday (April 19). Authorities suspect Singleton was attempting to burglarize the store.
(Andrea Shaw, NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune)

Positional asphyxia occurs when one's airway is compromised due to body position, explained Kimberly DiLeo, a forensic investigator with the coroner's office. For example, a person's diaphragm can become compressed in a tight space, making it difficult to breathe.

Authorities suspect Singleton, 44, of Marrero, had been trying to break into the convenience store through the ventilation system. He may have been in the vent for a few hours, DiLeo.

Workers later arrived at the store and spotted his feet dangling from the hood over the stove. Firefighters from the Marrero Ragusa Volunteer Fire Department helped remove Singleton's body. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The store, which did not open on Saturday, remained closed on Monday (April 21).

"Positional asphyxia is more common than you think," said Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich.

It most frequently occurs in infants who are put in a position that covers their mouths and keeps them from breathing, he said. Cases can also occur "in custody," Cvitanovich said, when law enforcement officers or other authorities attempt to restrain a suspect in certain positions.

In Singleton's case, he likely made his way through the stove vent, but got stuck in a narrow spot. "He got to a point of no return," Cvitanovich said. "He couldn't squeeze through and he couldn't get back up. He was compressed and that made it difficult for his chest to properly inhale."